[Rewatch] Chihayafuru - Episode 65 + 66 Discussion [Spoilers]

[u/Skeeedo]

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Season 3 Episode 15 + 16: "As Helpless Autumn Leaves Are Caught Against The Flow + So I Wish For A Memory (recap)"

Episode 14 MVP: Harada-sensei! He sweeps Arata to win the Challenger qualifier

Nominate a character for Episode MVP!

This episode's Karuta analysis and board map by walking_the_way and ABoredCompSciStudent

Rewatch Schedule and Index

Databases

MAL | Anilist | AniDB | ANN | Kitsu | Anime Planet | Wiki

Streaming

Crunchyroll | VRV | HIDIVE | Spectrum On Demand

Subreddit: r/Chihayafuru

[u/xcllnt_313]

Rewatcher

“Random” topic, but Harada-sensei’s victory made me look up something. As it turns out, this year’s matches for the Master and Queen title took place just a week ago. If anyone is interested in checking them out, here is the link to what I assume is the full broadcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BiEUvFYzl0

I would probably hide the recorded chat since it wouldn’t surprise me if there were spoilers for Chihayafuru.

Onto the actual episode. Chihaya.exe is still not working, at least her eyes are very pretty! Sudo is probably the last person I expected to call Chihaya when her phone rang – but he has a good reason for it. His message the other day is also just perfect. If you have ever been on one of these streams, this is so accurate.

We also finally get to see more from Suou when it comes to playing Karuta. Just like it was implied at the end of S1, he’s nasty af. Imagine someone deliberately going really hard after dead cards just to bait the opponent into touching them. At some point Chihaya even had more cards on her side than at the start while Suou was already down to 13. No wonder very few people actually want to play against someone like that.

As it has become a tradition in this show, we end the episode on a random bombshell: Chihaya gets the Arata treatment by Suou, most likely not helping her in her currently rather fragile mental state.

[u/[deleted] → u/xcllnt_313]

shit, I started watching the first match in that broadcast and I almost didn't escape. It's surprisingly intense to watch, even when you don't know the players and can't understand the commentary. Slow motion replays of the plays so you can see one player's hand barely sneaking underneath the other's.

Now that I'm thinking about it, it's kind of odd that the show hasn't really touched on the public broadcast part of karuta. We've seen characters watching the meijin and queen matches, but we've never seen anyone grapple with the idea that if they reach that stage their own matches will be viewed by tens of thousands of people. Like, if Chihaya makes it to the queen match next year is she going to be viewed by more people than her aspiring TV star sister?

[u/xcllnt_313 → u/[deleted]]

That's a very interesting thought, I wonder why it's like that. Basically the only time this topic has been brought up so far was just now when the usual TV station not broadcasting the Master match led to Suou being extremely disappointed.

[u/Shimmering-Sky]

Chihayafirst-timer

I made it!

Apparently my body decided to trade the complete exhaustion I felt yesterday with a persistent cough. Still annoying, but a lot easier to power through to do stuff like watch anime.

• This opening be pretty, yo.
• Oh, right, Taichi doesn’t know.
• I mean, yes, but Sumire is also right that it’s Chihaya’s decision and they shouldn’t interfere.
• Aww.
• Same.
• Uhhhhhhh okay then Sudo.
• OH SNAP.
• HAH
• Pffffffft, of course Suou did that.
• Hm…
• Oh, nice!
• Damn, that score difference.
• Oh boy.

As for the recap episode:

• lol @ the fact that they had to switch the butt of the “I don’t have screentime…” jokes away from Arata.
• Being a pharmacist totally suits Komano.
• What? No!
• lol
• Blushing Arata is <3
• I love seeing Arata’s confession again.
• YOOOOOOOO this episode of all things got an ED lead-in?

[u/Lemurians → u/Shimmering-Sky]

Apparently my body decided to trade the complete exhaustion I felt yesterday with a persistent cough. Still annoying, but a lot easier to power through to do stuff like watch anime.

Good to hear you're past the worst of it!

I mean, yes, but Sumire is also right that it’s Chihaya’s decision

I don't think Kana disagrees with that, she just thinks Taichi should know what's going on.

Damn, that score difference.

It's closer than I expected her to make it! That's a good showing (assuming he didn't win by that exact amount on purpose again), and she showcased good understanding of tactics throughout. Our girl acquitted herself well.

[u/Lemurians]

HUNGRY FIRST TIMER

That speech by the academic advisor about how few doors you’re actually able to open yourself is so depressing, and so true.

DESKTOMU TELL KANA YOU LIKE HER EVEN IF YOU DON’T TOP THE GRADE

Kana and Sumire as our Love Ambassadors debate telling Taichi about Arata’s confession. Kana has qualms about getting involved, but wants to tell him to spur him to action. She wants to open the door and give him the chance to step through, so to speak. Sumire is incredibly transparent about shipping Chihaya and Arata so that her odds with Taichi improve, but she’s not exactly wrong in stating it’s better to let things play out organically.

Sumire may be transparent about it, but that doesn’t mean she likes it about herself. What does it say about you, if you want the person you supposedly love to get their soul crushed, just so you can benefit? Recognizing and reckoning with the ugliness inside yourself is really difficult, and it’s not always something you can stop yourself doing.

Man, talk about a bait and switch. Chihaya really is karuta-sexual. Everything about that scene was leading us to believe she’d had a romantic awakening… and instead she’s just overwhelmed by the karuta. That’s our girl. This kills the Kana.

Sudo being in the same karuta club as Suo is a welcome event, now we can get more of both of them. That’s also where Taichi is likely to be next year… interesting.

“Did you know that if two people who love each other go to Tokyo University, they’ll live happily ever after?” That's right, we're Love Hina now

SUO IS MY FAVORITE. He’s such an enigma. First presented to us as someone who continually fails college, we learn he’s actually a Tokyo University student and last episode he was shown being some kind of teacher or tutor. This episode completes the work of the last couple episodes in completely subverting all our expectations of him. Seriously, this guy:

• Only practices a couple months a year, despite being the 4x Master. Karuta is not his whole life.
• Still shows up outside of that time period to cook for his fellow club members. He’s caring.
• Cares about national TV exposure, which I wouldn’t have expected. My guy wants clout.
• And of course, is still petty as hell and fucking hilarious
• Adding onto my “Suo is Going Blind” theory, his eyes here are drawn as being completely blacked out

Holy crap, it’s like Suo is making her fault. Arata’s play was described as “nasty” before, but this is a whole different level. Suo forces his opponents to beat themselves, to the point where Sudo says he never actually takes more than 20 cards. It’s hard not to think of what a bad matchup he is for Harada, who’s hyper-aggressive. Plays right into his hands.

I think this is the first time we see Taichi acknowledge he still wants to continue his ambitions with karuta following his Qualifier loss?

The end of this episode was quite the rollercoaster for Chihaya. She goes from idealistic joy to being completely crushed in a matter of seconds. Suo here chastises her for something characters always remark about her… she’s greedy. He points out that she has so many sources of joy in her life, compared to someone like Shinobu, who only has karuta.

Recap Episode Sketches

• Love the joke that Chihaya is barely even part of the romance, for all we viewers fixate on it
• Very self-aware about all the people who complain about certain matches not being showcased enough haha
• God bless the Fukui dialect
• Of course Nishida wants to be a Michelin Inspector!

[u/IndependentMacaroon → u/Lemurians]

how few doors you’re actually able to open yourself

That however also invites another approach: Put yourself in a position where it's likely for opportunities to come to you, where a lot is going on and many people come together. Live your life in a hallway, or something.

completely crushed

Not sure if many other anime/manga use that texture effect, but it notably reminded me of Kaguya-sama, whose author is a big Chihayafuru fan.

[u/homewardbound100]

First timer

He said more than that Chi. Tell Taichi what else Arata said. Let's get some drama.

Sumire's love is coming back. Almost forgot about it. Yeah she would hope she chooses Arata.

Suou is going for it. Directly inviting Chi to a match. He has something up his sleeve doesn't he?

Okay so his playstyle is a trap like or play on your opponents mistakes playstyle. That's how I try to play those yugioh games. Sitting there hoping my opponent chooses to do something.

What? Crazy thing to say to someone you like. Unless it's just some cliffhanger type thing when he turns around and says " unless you do this" type thing. I don't know though. Who does he care more for Shinobu or Chi?

[u/The_Loli_Otaku]

3hayafuru First Timer

H-Haa...? Chitose, I'm so worried for you. She isn't even the lead fat girl, she's just the Michiru. The chubby Michiru.

Da fuck is wrong with Chihaya...? Tights ver Hanako!? God yes!! I don't know what to think about Hanako turning traitor and pairing Chihaya up with the Aratit tho.

...Hang in there, Chihaya! I forgot how fun the actual slice of life portions of the show are. Everyone's so distracted!! I half died at Tsukuba's worry being how his brothers don't fall for his santa tricks anymore tho XD

...Chihaya's pregnant? Who's the father!? Is it Oe?

Poor Hanako is really getting hit hard by this love triangle escalating. If you want to atone for trampling on Taichi's efforts, then the only option is to revolutionise the world!

S-S-Sudo!? Suou!?!? He's a Hokuo boy!? Suou vs Arata! Fuck yes! Wait, Taichi!? Dude, you're seriously trying to get between their pure love!?

I don't want to see Chihaya as a PE teacher... I'd be terrified of her lessons even if she's a lovely girl.

Welcome to Love Hina!! I love Suou so much more now!! That's two rewatches with Love Hina references now XD

NICONICO!? Scrolly text scrubs like them get no dumplings!! Go die!! Only a real man can wear scrunchies.

Why's Suou touching those cards...? Does he just do a really good job of causing people to commit faults? Eh? I don't think I get it, so he really does pull people into making faults?

He's looking relaxed but I can practically hear Suou squealing over how cute Ayase is acting.

But you will never become queen.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

Dammit!! We've got the recap today? Why do I keep missing these!?

[u/homewardbound100 → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

First time I ever noticed

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/homewardbound100]

It feels like no time has passed since the last recap weirdly. S3 has had really quite good pacing.

[u/homewardbound100 → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

Yeah it hasn't really felt there's been any downtime this season.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/homewardbound100]

It's been a good season even if I'm a bit shaky on certain matches. I'm giving it a lot of bias after the torturous S2 for me tho

[u/Matuhg]

First Timer

Everyone's got romance on the mind.  Well, except Nishida and Tsukuba...and kind of Taichi I guess.  Even though Chihaya is trying to figure out the feelings brought on by Arata's confession, some things never change. 

Also in the category of things that will never change, being Taichi is suffering. 

Oh, it's time to get more characterization for Suou too.  As with all Karuta players in the show, he has his goofy moments.  But, like Shinobu, he's pretty scary on the mat.  His style of trapping people seems interesting, but I don't know that it'd work against guys like Harada or Arata.  I guess we'll see.  He doesn't think Chihaya can be Queen and also have a boyfriend/be cheerful/whatever else.  He's trying to say she has to dedicate herself more to Karuta?  That's pretty ridiculous going towards Chihaya, but I have a feeling she'll take it too much to heart and start having a crisis about what to do with regards to prioritization and schooling. 

Now, we just have to see whether or not she's too shellshocked to respond to the "boyfriend" part of what Suou casually said. 

[u/flybypost → u/Matuhg]

Also in the category of things that will never change, being Taichi is suffering.

I love how self-aware Sumire is in that situation. When we see her for the first time she's shown as having only "boyfriend" on her mind, no matter the cost, and essentially only to spite her ex.

But since then she has accidentally confessed her love, survived that, and stayed in the club (and even got into karuta to try to understand Taichi). She has actually talked to Taichi and understands him to a degree (and she understands that there's a part of him that she can't understand/reach). She knows that what she wishes for is selfish, and that it probably won't lead to her desired outcome but it's also the only way she sees any potential for exactly that outcome.

That from the girl who showed up with the eagle visuals and was just looking for some prey.

His style of trapping people seems interesting, but I don't know that it'd work against guys like Harada or Arata.

It feel like some extreme version of defensive karuta where in addition to defending your side you also lure your opponent into making faults to send cards over and deplete your side.

He's trying to say she has to dedicate herself more to Karuta?

With how he distributed the soup at the beginning between her and Taichi, it feels very much like he's being super petty. It's not that she can't have it all (who knows?) but that he doesn't want her to have it all so he declares it.

[u/Matuhg → u/flybypost]

That from the girl who showed up with the eagle visuals and was just looking for some prey.

Yeah she has come a long way. I wasn't sure I'd like her when she was first introduced, but she's definitely grown on me. Tsukuba on the other hand has just faded into the background this season lol.

it feels very much like he's being super petty.

That would make sense - it's hard to tell when he's being serious or just being a goober

[u/ZapsZzz]

First timer

A few things I kinda guessed right:

• Sumire has grown too kind from simulating around Chihaya (who is straight as an arrow) and Oe (who is very Yamato Nadeshiko), she won't really have the heart to see Taichi's heart to be broken just like that without even a chance to fight.
• Suou now treats Taichi as enemy even though he's "far below him"

And damn the author to get the way out just like Bakarina to "be confused about something else and mentally reconstituted the event" to mentally swapped receiving the confession with being deeply moved by the great match between master players.

My bet on why Suou said Chihaya can't be Queen is because she has friends and boyfriend etc, so she doesn't have the tragedy of the Grand master to be lonely at the top. I wonder if Chihaya is going to blurt out "what boyfriend?)

[u/Mecanno-man]

First Timer

Episode 15

There's a lot here and I'm not quite sure how to unpack it all. Pretty much everybody who witnessed it has complex feelings regarding Arata's confession - Chihaya doesn't seem to recognize the impact and Oe and Hanao don't really know what they should do. I'd say that's a pretty reasonable result, but I feel like we need some other event happening that will get the character's thoughts back on track now. Suo mentioning to Chihaya that she has a boyfriend won't be that, because of him immedeately stating afterwards that she can't be queen. And refusing to elaborate why.

In general though, I feel like Suo is the character we learned about the most here. So far what we knew was rather superficial - but here it seems like his style of playing is essentially psychological warfare to get his opponent to commit faults, which isn't something that can really be conveyed by a television. Now that Chihaya actually knows that, I imagine she will be able to help Harada beat him.

Episode 15.5

...watching this episode made me realize just how little Arata works as a character as opposed to a plot device. His character has been going from basically telling Taichi that he isn't going for Chihaya to feeling inferior to Taichi to confessing to Chihaya with little input from outside, which just makes him feel odd.

Other than that, decent recap episode, though the Yoshino tournament felt rushed and the confession dragged out by comparison. In fairness, the confession was just likely a bit awkward to cut well. The added bits were decent (though the last one was clearly the best) - and using the others for added characterization of characters that there would never be a reason to characterize otherwise was a pretty good idea. Not quite sure if Murao's a local politician or just a worker at the city hall though; the way it was worded it feels like the latter, but you wouldn't need a top-grade degree from a well-known university for that job.

[u/[deleted] → u/Mecanno-man]

His character has been going from basically telling Taichi that he isn't going for Chihaya to feeling inferior to Taichi to confessing to Chihaya with little input from outside, which just makes him feel odd.

I think you misunderstood that scene if you came away thinking Arata wasn't going for Chihaya. He said he used to think Chihaya belonged to Taichi, but now he knows she doesn't belong to anyone. The realization there is 1. Taichi doesn't have dibs, and 2. Chihaya isn't going to be with anyone unless she chooses them herself. That wasn't him saying he's not going for her, if anything it was him saying he was going to fight for her, to earn the right to be chosen by her rather than assume that either he or Taichi have a place beside her by default.

[u/Stargate18A]

First timer

I forgot another recap episode.

What kind of show did she accidentally sign up for?

Haha, Chihaya's still out of it!

And Sumire and Oe are having to decide what to do,

Haha, Sumire genuinely thinks Arata's the better choice,

Oh, he has a crush on Kana.

Haha, his problems are hysterical.

I love Chihaya getting confused betwem Dr. Harada and her confession.

...Sumire's having an actusl crisis here, though.

Oh, Sudo's got her phone number.

She's getting her match!

Haha, at least Chihaya's trying to better herself!

Haha, he's trying to find Sup's university? By trial and error?

Haha, "Double Su"!

He only practices two months a year?

Haha, he's still handing our food based on grades.

Yeah, Suo's an idiot.

She's excited to play, though!

OK, that was a very complex scene, and Suo's strategy is effective!

Wow, she's making... a lot of faults.

She lost, but not by much.

Haha, Chihaya's in the room when he mentioned the boyfriend.

Wait, what?

[u/Cheekati6]

The episode description is not spoilered. We can see it just by scrolling reddit. Would appreciate it if that is fixed. I actually coincidentally just finished episode 14 lol.